Wedding Part 1 Progress Report

[Independent Gal]

So, I''m back from spending a week with my mom, during which time we went over some details for Wedding Part 1 - the civil ceremony.

I''ve basically told my mom to go wild and have fun, but that I maintain a veto.

So, here''s what we''ve got so far, with some pics.

FI''s parents have decided to sponsor a dinner the night before and we found a very local place that serves delicious ''homestyle'' food native to the region in a cozy homey atmosphere. They can seat 32 and we''ll have 30. FI''s friend recommended it and I went to check it out while I was in town. It''s kind of down some twisty alleys, and not the easiest place to find, but TOTALLY charming and yummy, and the alleys were gorgeous and wonderful to twist down. They gave me cards with a map on the back to help people find it more easily.

We went to a lovely concert while I was there, which was plucked string music by female composers from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Italy, and Lebanon. My mom and step-dad were all over the lute player and said ''Great for the cocktail hour!'' So, we''ll be hiring a LUTE player for the cocktail hour! I love this idea.

As for clothes, the Elizabeth Fillmore gown I bought on ebay for $24 (or whatever it was) fits my mom like it was MADE for her... even the legnth is perfect. I didn''t take pics, but here''s a pic of me in it to remind you. She has a few shrugs and jackets that work well with it to cover her arms, and is looking into getting something bright coloured to wear around her neck.

We also worked out a 6 course menu with the chef:

Fresh pea and mint soup
Poached Atlantic Cod with wilted spinach, wild mushroom sauce, and roasted radish
Apple Sorbet with Foie Gras Torchon
Seared Venison Loin (FI''s fave meat) with pearl barley risotto, current sauce, and asparagus (if available)
A selection of cheeses with pear relish and caramelized red onion
Wedding Cake!

 

[Independent Gal]

Here is a wedding cake that the chef made for his brother. I immediately vetoed this and said plain white would be fine. I mean, geez. That is one hi-lariously urgly cake. However, every piece of baking I've tasted from this guy was over the moon delicious, so I have no doubt it will taste good. Just have to get him to keep it simple, decor wise. And no St. Paddy's day GREEN!!!

 

[Independent Gal]

FI loves calla lillies, and I have no objection to them. Mom picked out this bouquet and the gardener said that he would make it (and three matching centerpieces for our three rounds of 10) for me, and that it would be his wedding gift to me. I'll have to ask him to scale it down quite a lot though. I'll get lost behind that thing! Also, I prefer the deep coloured callas - especially the purply ones. So I've requested those instead of white.

 

[Independent Gal]

Here''s a reminder of what our invitations look like for both WP1/2

 

[Independent Gal]

And here's the Stephen Yearick dress very similar to mine for WP1. But mine isn't a halter, it's a straight across top (very modest) that will have spaghetti straps added since it's so damn heavy with all the beading, I'm worried it will fall right off!

So, I think that's it for the moment... For WP1, I have a dress (still in need of alterations...I better get to that), mom has a dress, we've booked the city hall (which only took 2 months to sort out), FI is booking the night before dinner, we're using the same invitationas as for WP2, we have music, flowers, and a menu picked out. And we're thinking of using a friend of my mom's friend for photography. He's an event photographer, not a wedding guy, but he did my mom's friends' wedding and the pics are gorgeous and very 'photojournalism', rather than stiff portrait. He will take pics of me getting ready and keep snapping until the cocktail hour begins. Then, no more pics! I think it would be awkward to have a photographer there with only 30 people in an intimate atmosphere. Especially while we're eating our delicious 6 course dinner! Mmmmm...can't wait.

So, we're getting there.

 

[Independent Gal]

Wow! That looks incoherent, doesn''t it? Well, the colours will be all different - deep purples and whites. So that will help at least. And I know the invitations don''t ''match'', but geez, who brings their invitation to the party with them? Or if they do, who cares?

 

[Independent Gal]

I like the burgundy coloured callas in this pic, e.g...

 

[zoebartlett]

Sounds like you''ve made great progress! Everything looks and sounds fantastic!

 

[FLgirl41]

Your dress sounds like it is amazing! I can''t wait to see pictures of it!

 

[bee*]

wow everything looks great! I love the bouquet!

 

[Maisie]

It all looks so wonderful!!! I can''t wait to see photos!!

 

[anchor31]

It all looks so great Indy!

 

[Ellen]

That SY dress is simply Drop. Dead.


Sounds like you''ve got it all under control!

 

[CrookedRock]

Love all of it! But that DRESS!!! WOW! Gorgeous!

 

[sumbride]

It''s all coming together Indy! I don''t envy you planning two weddings but you definitely have it all together and it will be stunning! I''m so relieved that the green cake isn''t your "inspiration cake" because, um, yes, it''s hideous! What an odd combo of colors! I bet the plain white will be fine though!

Oh, and your menu sounds divine, but check your spelling on the sauce if you''re printing it anywhere. I''m thinking it''s "currant" sauce, not "current".

 

[Independent Gal]

Thanks guys. To me it still looks kind of incoherent! But I have complete faith in my mother to get the colours and stuff all sussed out. So long as the major stuff is under control, it''s all good. Just please, Lord, no green cake!

Summer Planning two weddings hasn''t been that bad, mostly, since my mom is in charge of one. I just had to nod or shake my head at the stuff she showed me and away we go. I guess it''s sort of like having a planner. Plus, keeps my mom''s nose out of the other wedding.

Here''s a picture of the room where we will sign the documents for the civil marriage. We get to sit on thrones!

 

[Selkie]

Wow, that''s an impressive venue! I have an image of you and hubby-to-be in ermine capes and puffy red and gold crowns. Too much Disney or something. That dress is stunning, too. And, was that cake meant to look like the Irish flag? Whoever made it is clearly skilled, at least! Just needs a little toning down...and what really matters is the taste, anyway!

I know you want to maintain privacy, I''m just curious what continent Wedding 1 is on, if that''s not giving away too much?

 

[zoebartlett]

Indy, seriously, you are one of the most interesting people I''ve ever "met." I''m trying to piece together what I know about you and the photos you''ve posted today and in the past, and it seems mysterious...yet romantic. Does that make sense? I know you want to protect your anonymity and I respect that, but like Selkie said, I''m curious to know where your wedding(s) will be. I know, I know, it''s a secret. That''s okay -- it all adds to the mysterious nature of Indy!

 

[Independent Gal]

You know what? I bet that IS why the cake is in those colours. Good call, Selkie. The chef comes from an Irish family, so I bet that's why his brother/SIL requested it. Phew. What a relief. At least it means nobody chose those colours just for the inherent loveliness of the combination.

No ermine capes, but it is pretty nice for a city hall, isn't it? I was excited to see it!

 

[door knob solitaire]

Beautiful green cake, callas, your moms dress, her handling things, 6 course dinner, invites, ahhh the green cake, that dress, venue to sign, and no royal freakin way...thrones??? get out!!! All great!!!

but again...that perfectly matched green cake

mm mmm mmmm mmm.


I smell a few calm dreams focusing on the cake color. §

 

[Independent Gal]

DKS As long as the dreams don''t smell of whatever is naturally that shade of green...

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Great luck on that swaeeet outfit fitting your Mom perfectly, Indy! Does she have a wrap?

I love cala lillies---mmgood choice; and I am happy to know your baker knows coloring other than green!

Things are coming together nicely.....btw, will I see you this way afterall??

cheers--Sharon

 

[Independent Gal]

Hey there Canuk Gal! I still haven't heard anything from the relevant Calgary folks! I sent an e-mail last Friday, hoping for an update. I'll let you know what I hear. I reeeeeallly want to visit Calgary! So I hope it's a go.

And mom has a couple of fancy evening boleros that go well with the dress, so she can cover her arms (which I think are fine, but she's shy about). It is sweet luck, but I figured it'd probably fit her if it fit me, except for being a little too small in the chest area. She weighs almost the same as me, and is about half an inch taller, but not as, errrr, curvy in the girls department.

 

[partyjewels]

Gah!! I''m green with envy! That dress is gorgeous I can only imagine how beautiful yours is! Your mom is just going to look to die for! Now that I''ve found what I''m pretty sure will be my dress, I''m on to the search for the perfect dress for my mom. I hope I can find something as special! Anyways, I just wanted to say, you''re having the kind of wedding I would love to, and you just seem like you''ve got it all together! Congrats on your wonderful progress for your wedding/s